The New York Herald Newspaper, December 30, 1876, Page 3

FABULOUS MORTGAGES. How $100,000 Can Be Raised ona $20,000 Property. AN OBLIGING ATTORNEY. Inside History of Some of the New Jersey Mutual Life's Securities. —_—-. 4 HATR-RAISER FOR POLICY HOLDERS, ————- Porsome time past the Hxrato hos charged the Istence in this city of a ring of insurance manipulators, or “‘wreckers,” who were making nefarious deceptions on the public and conkering the interests of good life insurance. It bas insinaated that there were frauds perpetrated by this ruins of a character so gross and sweeping that the cummanity would be shocked at their revelation. Since the suspicious failure of the Continental it has been especially urged tn these columns that the trausactions of that com- pany and its evident complicity with the New Jersey Mutual Life ought at once to be investigated, The former doi of the managers of these concerns were treated of, and a full acovunt of the Hope amalgamation with the Now Jer- sey Mutual Life was published, This story suggested the disnonost procurement and distribution of funds, but #0 carefully were all those transactions concealed that 1t was impossible to trace out the corruption and add knowledge to beliet. At last, however, oue of the ring perpetrations has deen discovered, and to-day a complete account thereof is given to the public, The story will certainly not allay the aoxiety of the already troubied insurance public, DISCOVERING THE FRAUD. Jt was known to a few people that certain bogus mortgages bad three years since becn obtained from a man vamed Thompson by Daniel J. Noyes, an attorney for the insuranee ring, who has piayed ao important but undemonsirative part in their a(fuirs for a number of years. The mortgages were stated to be large in amountand given upon property of comparatively little value. The location of the property or the nao made of the mortgages was not known, though it was believed that they were in the possession of a cortaiu insuranco company in which Noyes was interest Unremitting effort was made to discover the particu- lars of the transaction, which have only now become successful. Ou Thursday last it reached the cars of a Hera.p ropresectative that these mortgages were on record in Now Brunswick, the county scat of Middleeex, } Jersey, and be proceeded at once to that locality for t¥e purpose of searching the registers, 1t was shown by these records that, on the 3ist day of March, 1869, Samuel A. Mecker conveyed a tract of land of 107 2-10 acres, in the township of Woodbridge, New Jersey, to Henry A. Jonesy of Brooklyn, who at one time was President of the wrecked Hope Mutual Life Insurance Company. The consiveration was $39,000, and the deed was re- corded April 5, 1569, As part cousideratiog for tho purchase money Henry A. Jones mortgaged the same Property on the first day of April, 1869, to Samuel A. Mecker In two mortgages, one of $10,000 and the other of $14,000. The first oae of $10,000 appears on tho record us cancelled August 3, 1874, Tbe second one was foreclosed by Sheriff, und deed oxecuted on August 80, 1873, from Joha D, Buckalew, Sherit!, Henry A. donee: and wife and Samuel A, Siceber to George C. CoMn. This property was bought by Daniel J. Nuyes inthe Bame ot George C, Coftin, who at that time was a clerk ip Noyes’employ, Atter Sumuel A. Meeker roceived the above named mortgages [rom Henry A. Jones and wite sterred the first of Company ot Newark on tho 10th of November, 1860, and on the 22d day of July, 1871, he transferred the second one of $14,000 to Warren N. Trusdcil, Nowark, who was the agent of the New Jerscy Mutual Life Insurance Company, and who was stationed at Newark. Daniel J. Noyes. ‘who was uttorney forthe New Jersoy Mutual at the ‘ime, acted as attorney in the foreciosure proceedings. The consideration which appears in the Sherif’s deed is $11,590, h @ subjection to the mortgage of the Mutual Benefit for $10,000, and it is upon this prop- erty obtained througn sherill’s decd worth $21,590 that all after business is based, On August 30, 1573, George C. Coffin apparently got title to property bought at $11,590, and on the 20th of September he deeded it to Vaniel J. Noyes tor a con- sideration of $30,000. ‘This property is located at Avenel, in the township of Woodbridge, in Middiesex county, in the State of Now Jersey aud in the deed {rom Collin to Noyes 's measured by chains and links, apd described containing 107 2-10 acres of land, which js all that was contained twthe original: deed from Meeker to Joues. in his deed toe Noyes Cotlin excepts certain portions which bad formerly been released vy quitcia’m deed, to wit— in block No. 1, lots Nos, 460, 461 und 462; in block No, B, lots Nox. 428, 429, 435, 436 and 437; in bleck No. 4, lots Nos. 377, 378, 379, 380, 388, 886, 357, 388, 414 und 415; block No. 5, iots Nos. 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, B14, 315, 316, 317, 318; bluck No, 7, lots Nos, 366, 367, 868, 339} block No, 8 luts Nos. 298, 299, 301, 305, 306, BOT, 30%, 835, 836, 337, 838, 339, 340, 843, 344; biock No. 9, lot No. 266; block No, 10, lot No. 446 (m0 such number on map in that block). \ EXTRAORDINARY FINANCIERING, On the 1st day of August, 1873, ad appears by the records, Daniel J. es and Caroline K. Noyes, tis wile, deeded this same property to George W. Thomp- son (who says ho never hear’ of this deed) for $110,000, This property was therefore deeded to Thompson by Noyes and wile uearly two months before Noyes re- ceived 1 from Coffin and about a mouta belore Mr. Coffin received his deed from the Sneri(l On the same day that Thomp-on obtained his deed of this property trom Noyes, which a month betore cost er and for which op that day ho appears to have paid Noyes $110,000, Thompson seems to have @eeded a portion of it to other persous tor $149,300, reserving a portion which by September 17, be sold tor $20,000.more, {he names of the grantees, as they appear upon the records a8 bavi! received this property from Thompson, are:—Milton B. Sher- wood, ot Paterson, N. J., $8,500; Margaret C. Coulon, of New York city, $12,000; Louis 5. Fieming, New York city, $10,000; Wiliam S. Brinckerhof, New York city, $10,000; James E. Graves, New York city, $10,000; Amesa G. Shipman, New York city, $10,000; Davia Looney, New York city, $10,000; Joka W. Spaulding, Brooklyn, $5,000; Joromo Brumley, Braok- lyn, $10,000; Frederick A. Potter, New York city, $5,500; Alfred KE. Burdett, Brooklyn, $11,000; Charles W. Robertson, New York city, $10,000; Herman 3. Rosenstein, Hudson City, N. J., $10,000; Cornelia D, Bimmons, New York city, $11,000; Charies P. Dors- beimer, Paterson, N. J., $10,500; Donald McIntosh, Brooklyn, $10,000; Worthington R. Woods, Brooklyn, $10,000, In these sales, according to the records, Mr. Thomp- gon took back on August 1, 1873, as part of purchase money, mortgages on the property to secure the aum of $93,500. Jn the course of one day, this property, which ap- pears to havo been sold by the acre to Thompson, by measurement of chains and links, seems to changed its character, and in the mortgage taken back by Thompeon, the property is described as ‘lots’ and ‘by nambers. INTO THE NEW JERSEY MUTUAL'S TRBABURY. On twe 1th day of August, 1873, and before Noyes, through whom [hompson derives the ttle of it ail, yet received bis title, Thompxon begins to assign these purchase money mortgages to the New Jersey Matual Life Lusarance Company, and between that and October 1 he bax assigned tuem all for $39,000, not in- cluding what be got for tho mortgage of Worthington R. Woods, os the consideration, tor that appears biank upon the records, From the above exxmipation of the records at New Brunswick, as made by the Hirratp representative, It appears that tue New Jersey Mutaal Lite Insurance Company now holds mortgages amounung to about $100,900 on a pieco of property whieb was worth in 1873 not more than $30,000, and which now, as will be seen below, is worth, perbaps, $20,000. These ‘mort- kuges” were obtained im @ very — circuitous mwothod by Daniel J. Noyes, the attorney of that company, who in these varied transactions Appears a» aliorney, purchaser, grantee and notary public. The property, so pumpously termed “Avenel, ison the tine of the Amboy Branch of the Fennsyl- vania Railroad, yeod to be the name of a Blavion on U Whee {be HeRaLp representa. Spoke to persons in New Grunswick and Newark 1 be was met with blank imquiry as to the | mised. He was obliged to indicate hi med ‘town ave Heard of a erty was mortgaged for $1,000 an acre. eXtONt of the Iraud became, on examination, so ridic. uloasly transparent thet it only remains to woncer why it was not exposed veiore. George W. Thompson denies that he had any under- The whole Standing of the meaning or purpose of the transactions in which his pame tigures so prominently, and In proof Of bis position he bas made the following affidavit: — THOMPSON'S arriDati York, = ge W. Thompson at No, TH south Ninth ya. Tam a married m al am uainted wita Dai a. Fat law, dorug business at No. 117 1 lave ‘been wequainted with the and for several of these Aeted tur my in negotiations h time I had tue groatest . in the city of } y wite lives with me, att in this elty, joyes avout five or six Years ha wae ty attorney of property, and durin « conddence ‘in him. Late in she fall or winter of IN7I Mr. Noyes aiovonaid called at my was then ou the corner of street and { avenue, wid bro: which he stated id thas she: » | lost a good dence in Irlondship T consented, and did sign a iarge wumbor of and at my rowest my wit vo vizned thera. the mames of the parties to whom the tmortenges Wen, NOF the snout sot forth as comsideration in a Siew, nor.did L kucw where the proyersy wort was doomed. My wile and i, bg tis diryctivn, merey our worn ot | we for E oy ‘he ex never acknowledged be- fore any person authorized to tuke the acknowleagment, and NO One Ws present when we ei the mortgaces ex- cept Mr, Noyes and ourselves. Within the past tow weeks A was asked by « Mr. McUauley, who I learned was at one 4d in the Hope Lite Insurauee Company, amalgamated with insurance © Daniel J. Noy tion unti! T had had. opportunity bh I touk occasion to do immediately —t thi same day or on the day thereafter. Mr. Noyes what had become of the mortgages my wie and I had 9 him, and he replied (hat tioti.ing was ever done wit and’ that be still had them th fits ante, and that T could 61 aes them ut any time [desired 1 lett him satisfied. A short time shereatter I rd from Mr. MeUnuley that these mortgages were suspected) as having been used tor the purpose ef efecting the combination the Hope Lite Iusurance Company with the Mutual Life Tusurance Company. and he Was a swindling’ operation ne had deen loses rs ply ty my demand further the mortzuxes did not amount to anythiny aud that he did not care who knew about tne watter, ite ul aid thatif would furnish him some more securities be would lown me in addition to $50. which be had previously loaned me and for which he then had and now las some personul property as security. Luid not accept his offer, but unmediately left him. This latter Interview oe curred last evenin, at the ban by say eased of wear the 1 signed the mortenges ubove mentioned whatever in this State or in Tse J EBORGE this 2nd. otary Publi DANIZL J. NOYES. The above account of Mr, ‘hompson’s connection with the affair appears to be substantiated by what the Hegatp representative discovered from other sources. Inevery phuse of the transaction the at- torney, Noyes, seems to have been the prime mover and the only person who knew wiut tt was all about, AS stated by Thompson, Noyes “had need of tneso mortgages for a certain purpose,” and it was he who manipulated the whole thiog and then turned the il- gotten and worthless securities over to the New Jersey utaal Lite, Mr. Noyes, ag before stated, has figured extensively in the interests of the insurance ring lor several years. He may, perhaps, be best remembered by the duit of Emma L, Stauly to disbar him irom practice, which was brought in March last and created at the time no litde interest. Noyes was engaged ip the famous amalgamation of the Hope with the New Jersey Mu- tual, and was very influential in bringing about that ¥. THOMPSON, t Decomber, IXTi— ew York couuty. Sworn to before m Joun G. Lawaxnso: Relarious consummation, Ho was also ono of the attorneys who brought about the dissolu- tion of tho Coutinontal and the appoinunent of John J. Anderson as receiver, iu the interests of the officers and stockhoiders, He has long been on very intimate ierms with the managements of both the New Jersey Mutual and Continental, and has appeared to represent their interests on very many occasions. He was himself the President of the World Life Insurance Company and, in fact, hag beenprominently connceted with nearly ‘all scuemes for absorptions and amal- gamations for some years past. In the transaction revealed above be played tho leading business, and appears to have used others en- tirely Upon the questionable ground of ‘avor,”” Among those who were most servicbable to him was George A. Coifin, in whose name the property was pur- chased by Noyes at the Sherifi’s sale. Hos now the assistant secretary of the Department of Parks, The HERALD representative caliod upon him at bis office, No, 36 Union square, and obtained the following ac- count of his connection with the affair :— MR, COFPIN’S STATED . Mr. Coffin said that he was employed as acierk in the office of 8, A. & D. J. Noyes, between the 15th of May, 1873, and the 11h of May, 1874. He was also in the same office as clerk in the months of August, Sep- tember and October, 1872, Mr. Coffin retates that some time during the mouth of July or August, 1873, Mr. Noyes told him that he would hke to bid off some property in New Jersey im nis (Coilin’s) name, Mr, Coffin knew what the property was from what he had heard of it while m the office, and answered that he had no objection to Noyes doing as he wished, pro- vided he should be lett harmless im the matter.’ Mr. Coffin said bo was pot pusitive but thathe himself attended the Sheritl’s sale aud bid off the property. At any rate it was bought in his name, avd within a few days thereafter he conveyed the same to Noy: The codsideration stated in the deeds was merely nominal, and Mr. Coflin says that he neither paid to nor received from Noyes any money or other consideration in connection with the transaction, He stated that he knew nothing of the property or of its value, and had no interest in Knowing. He had understood that Mr. Noyes was foreclosing the mortgage tor the New Jer- sey Mutual Life losurance Company, lor which he was attorney, and that he did not wish ‘bix (Noyes’) name to appear. Mr. Coffla said that at Noyes’ request he erward took seme of the papers to New Brunswick for the purpose of having them recorded, He kucw nothing concerning the value of them, nor the man- ner in which they were cbtained, nor wbat use was made of them, He does not recoliect that Noyes ever spoke to him on this subject alter the deed had been made to Noyes by himself, excepting when he gavo instructions for placing some of the papers on record. Mr. Coffin affirmed that he was ready and willing at any time to make an affidavit to the facts above re. lated. He was merely a clerk in Noyes’ office, aud beyond doing, as he supposed, a favor to his employer, he had no interest whatev: ransactions. REAL VALUE OF THE AVENEL, PROYERTY, With a view of ascertaining as nearly as possible the value of the land: upon which so much security was lavished the writer called upon a number of gentile. men in Newark, who were considered good: judges of realestate, and some of whom owned land at Amboy and in the vicinity of Weodbridge, where the so-called “Avenel” ia situated. He received various cstunute from these gentiomen; but none of them sup- posed the property mentioned to © be worth more than $20,000 at the outside, = Mr. Miller, Treasurer of the Mutoal Bonefit§ Life lusurance Company, which at one time held the mortgage first made from H A. Jones to. A. Meeker, told the writer that he nad no full knowledge of the property mentioned. He believed, however, that he jad seon It, and if it was good farming land hethought it might now be worth irom $75 to $125 per ucre. If there was clay, good for brick making, why Mr. Miller thought the value might be much creater, The fact of the property having been diviaed up into build- ing lots will, however, preclude the idea of any such valuabie deposits upon it The writer also called upon Mr. Warren N. Trussdel, who hgld the other mortgage eouveyed by Jones to Meeker, and by whose apparent action the foreclosure was brought about, Mr. irassdel is regarded in New- ark as an excelient judge of tbe value of property in that portion of the State. Ho said that whon he took the mortgage menti be presumed the property was worth the $14,000 secured in that paper and the $10,000 claim then held by the Mutual Benefit Company. Heal estate at that time was very Hast uating, und AAT, poor investment seemed likely to prove profitable. He never saw the property but two or three times, and he remarked to the writer that at one time ho thought he was going to be badly beaten on the speculation. He thonght that the prop- erty to-day was worth $15,000 or perhaps $25,000. When informed that there were $110,000 worth of mortgages on the property he said, ‘Weil, I’m sorry for those who bold them." . WHAT U. A. JONES DIDN'T KNOW. When Mr, Henry A. Jones was asked by the HrraLp representative for some intormation regarding his former interest in the Avenel property and his knowledge of its valu, he became very much excited, and declarod that he had a pressing engagement, and ‘that bis recollection of the matter was very bad at best. He was asked what amount he paid for the property; what he sold it for; what it was probably worth theo or Bow; or what his “nearest suppositions’? were In regard to all these uestions, and in every instance he replied, hastily, that be ally could not tell’’ He thought, bowever, that Mr. Noyes might be imformed on these several points, and, despite bis “pressing engagement,” of- tered to go with the writer wad tatroduce him to that individual The only intelligent answer thet he made was to the effect that at one time he had believed the property to be very valuable, and that he had paid @ large sum for When the writer expressed the opinion that it 6 somewhat singular that hi been engaged if so important transactions, and yet could give no idea of the umounts invoived nor th character of the land, Mr. Jones replied that {t was a Jong time ago; that hig memory wae not good, and that Noyes know a great deal better than he did. As Mr. Jones hurried away (rom the office he said very excitedly, ‘‘{ am a sufferer in this business, and have ai.” WOW HAVE THE MOKTGAGES BREN USED? the important question yet to be answered, y are now the property of the New Jersey Mutual Life Insurance Company, and are possibly numbered among the formidable assets which that corporation holds for the benetit of its policy-hoiders. If so, they will perhaps be discovered in the course of the examination which made of the cunpan} in Newark. fall under the head of then {t may be that Mr. Noyes has them in bis sate, as he told Thompsot Atany rate, the property wot a dangerous charactor, aud o1 not to be at large, Their place of deposit will probably be discovered in the course of a few days at most The Hxxarp representative bat diffcaliy in Hnding some of the facts avove narrat od ipforma- tion on many poiats of the transaction was curiously scarce. Mr. Jobn D. Townsend, the well known law- Yor, assisted materially in claritying some of the com- gon Joghl matter which the ingenious attorney ad 80 liberally lett bevind in his New Jersey oper- ations. Mr, Thompson homage be the f* now beng If the who will wonder Not conscious will perhaps be mo in all surprise resigned his vast profits, made in such a manner, to the New Jersey Mutual Lite. POLLITZ IN A FIX. A few days age Hugo Poilitz, of No. 606 West Filty- fifth street, called on Frederick D. Frickie, of No. 225 | Church street, with acheck on Greeobaum Brotners | for $12 and asked to have it cashed, saying it was al; right. Mr. Frickie cashed it; but subsequently jearn- ing that Pollitz had bo money to bis account with the firm nafhed, caused hi aint was made prisouer by equine the erman Lowenstein, of No. 368 Canal is charged with baviag detrauded of $16, Counsellor Leo Schwab moved for the prisoner's discharge on the ground WHat the complaint failed to disclose the tact that ollitz bad pot a bauk account with Greeabaum ‘hat was an ossoutial part of tbe case. ‘tice Morgan, ‘I will remand tite case uutil to morrow for exam! v owued any renl estate | | @xpected to chi THE STORMS. YESTERDAY'S SAMPLES OF METEORIC AGONY IN NEW YORK—STORMS AT SEA—MARINE DIS- ABTERS, The sombre gray clouds that overhung the city early yesterday morning were warning sufficient that an- other storm was threatened, and about eizht o'clock the flashes bobbing bere and there and ail over made the guessers of ‘another snow’’ appear like excelicat weathor prophets, From a small beginning the down- fall Increased, so that in an hour the rivers which girdio Manhattan could not be seen acrors and the streets intersecting the isle upfit for travelling, A freah nor’easter drove the snow horizontully along, rendering pedestrian» generaliy miserable, while it settled in the roadways so fast that it would Lave re- quired au army of workmen under control of the street cleaning officials to remove it had not the weather change been instrumental in rendering great aid im this respect This occurred at noou for the worse, the Snow giving way to sleet and then to rain, which continued for hours. ‘The poor hard working girls returning from store or factory had a hard time of 1. Waterproofs and overshoes and umbrellas seemed but little prutection, Pudales of slush were everywhere on sidewalk and crosswalk, and those ot tho honest sisterhood who were able to afford a car ture were lucky indeed. ‘The Various lines of cars, all with four horses, must have reaped a rich harvest, for the conveyances wero crowded to their utmost capacity—if any one can judge what that means to the modorn conducior, were the patrons of the more aristocratic stages ex. empt from ail misery, These vehicies required threo horses to pull them along at she usual speed, avd long belore they arrived at Fulton street on the up town trip they were crowded to suffocation, Business was sadly interfered with by the storm, Along the river , ironts there was an absence of the aisaal burry and bustle, und im the streets wnare retail stores can be counted by the hundreds there was but lithe to do for the auxiwous looking clerks, The markets, too, wero {ur less patronizea than is customary near the end of the week. In ta the uncharitable weather made everybody miserabic, TH STORM IN THE BAT. Late in the aflernoou the Wind was blowing fresh from the east mtv the Horseshoe and a dense fog pre- vailed, The vesseis sm the offing at the tume, it was believed, would got salely inside of Sandy Hook. Nearly iilty schoouors and sioops were weathor bound at the mouth of Newark Bay, waiting for the storm to puss, aud as many more were at anchor off Communi paw and Bedioe’s Island. A STEEPLE TOPPLED, During the storm the steeple of the new Baptist church in course of erection on Greeve avenue, near Patchen, Brooklyn, was blown down. THK WRECKED CIRCASSIAN. Captain Merritt, of the Wrecking Company, was ad- vised by Cuptain ‘Perry, at work on the Circassiun, ashore opposite Brdgebampton, L. L, that the steamer Cyclops bad to leave tor the eastward Ww make a harbor yesterday witernoon, went to the westward for the same purpose. The wind had becn biowing there all day irom the nortbeast, Shouid the storm not interfere with that already dono to relieve the Circassian she is expected to bo floated off within a day or so. THE BRIG ERWOOD'S VOYAGE. Yesterday morning the brig Erwoou, of Liverpool, reached this port alter a passage of sixty-one days from Pernambuco, having experienced groat hurd: the Jate storm. ‘Tue master, Captain Raines, @ HeRaLp reporter yesterday alieruoon that the Krwood crossed the Equatur November 3 in longitude BS deg. west amid fine weather, and that they had tuir winds to longitude 20 deg. west, Here tao vessel encountered a severe gile, and when they reached Cape Hatteras the gale culminated in a perfect hurri- cane. The brig for a time became the sport of tho waves. Atovery lurch she shipped iarge quantities of water, and the Wind, which veered from southwest to northwoet continually, carried off most of ber sails, RESCUING THE EMMA PEMRERTON’S CREW. In this state of affairs she reached latitude 36 deg. 53 man., longitude 74 deg. 95 in., when # schooner was remarked flying signals of distress and apparently in a sinking condition, The brig approached and found her to be the Emma Pembertou, trom St Johns, Porto Rico, bound for St. Andrews, New Brunswick’, and, as the crew of the Erwood surmised, she was filling rapidly, After considerable dilficuity the crew of the Pemberton, consisting of Alexander Murchie (captain), Andrew Johnson (mate), Samuel Hunter (cook), Otto Wilson and Hartwig Petersen (seamen), succeeded in getting out their boats and reaching the Erwood, when they were taken on board. TUK PEMUKRTON'S VOYAGE Captain Murchie, in conversation with a Heratp Teporter, suid thut the Emma Pemberton left st. Jonns, Porio Rico, on the 30th of November, in ballast bound for St. Andrews, N. B. “We bad tne weather till December 11, when we experienced a heavy northwest gale which did not abate until the might of the 20th, On the 18tb and 19th 1¢ biew a bur- nieane, during which we lost our forosail. On the llth we had alreavy sprung a leak, which on account of the severe weather constant!y increased, and the vessel began to grow upmanageadle, When we met the brig Erwood on the 22d of this month wo hosted a signal ot distress, seeing that there was no hope of gotting ’our vessel into port, and Captain Raines took us aboard, 1 am very thankful to the officers and crew of the Erwood, for, besides saving ms, they treated us throughoat the passage with the greatest kindness and consideration. [have been remurkabiy Gutortunate off Cape Hatteras. This is the fourth time | have Leen wrecked tuere—twicoe while [ was a mate and twice as a captain.’ THK CREW. The crew of the wrecked vessel wore sent to the Sailors’ Home, iv Cherry street, by the British Consul. They told substantially the same story as Captain Murcme, and were very loud in their expression of thanks tor the humage conduct of the oificers uud crew irwood. Tho Pemberton wes a vessel of cighty-nine tons, owned by James Mnrehie, of Calais, Mo. She was American built, but of late sailed under the British WRECK OF THE SUSAN Le YITZGERALD. The steamer Tybee arrived his port yesterday from 5t Domingo, and brought a8 passengers part of the crew of the bark Susap L. Fitzgerald, wnich was wrecked on December 13 at Terra Hunda, Tho mato of the bark made the lollowing statement Lo a reportor of tho HERALD yesterday :— STATEMENT. We sailed from Cape Coast Castle (Africa) September 17, with a cargo of paim ofl ‘and gut copal, boand to Boston, We had wi weather up to November 27, when we encountered a heavy southwest gale, which veered around to northwest, which lasted unui nine A. M. of the 28th, when it mod. erated, Ou the morning of the 20tn it again com- menced to blow heavily and lasted until the 30th, when we sounded the weil and jound the vessel to have five feet of waver in her hold. At that time we were in latitude 32 ¢rgrees, longivude 62 degrees. Wo thought it would not be safe to weather Hatteras in ou! condition, so wo put the vessel about and bore up for the West Indies, heavy northwest kales biowing all the time. December 4, we bad only one pump go- ing and tbe oak iucreasing; wo had only four men to work the vessel, the other three being im the fore- castle sick; the bands working the vessel were ex- hausted from overwork, December 12, we made Port au Platte, but thinking there was no American jonsul there and what we could get no wuce we aecided 10 go to Turks Island. ‘bere we were afraia the vessel would not hold out, so we put for Hayti At tive P. M. heavy gale setin, and ateight P. M., weather dark and rain- ing, the vessel went ashore on Terra Hunda, about ten mites from Cape Isabelia, When she went ashore she had seven aud a hall feet of water in ber bold and was Steering Within two or three points of her course. We stayed by her until half-past one A. M, of the 13th, when she broke in two, Wo went back to her atterward and’ saved our ciotbing and tho ship's in- struments, We lett Captain Leadbe and ove sailor, who was sick, bebind The rest of us wero sent bere by the Consul, who gave us a Jetter to @ «Collector =to forward us to Boston, where we belong, «8s we aro without means. On October 19 James Malono, a eatlor, died of consumption and was buried at sea. The Susan L. Fitzgeraid had the largest shipment of alm oil sent to this port for along time, aggregating ‘The vessel and bark was 476 tons register, aud was bi having been purchased a few ye: ago by the above named firm. The cargo was La ame 000. tollows:—Great Westorn 000; Delaware, $18,000; Mercantile, $13,000; warers, $15,000; Washington, $10,000; ‘New , $10,800, THE WRECKED LILIAN CAMERON. (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HEBALD.] Squan Bracn, N.J., via Sea Gint, N. J, Deo. 49, 1876, } of tho most tem pe: us storins that bas visited this coast in many years has been raging ail day, setting in at daylight with high wind and snow from northeavt, and changing about noon to a continu- ous galo aud drenching rain, which to-night is in- ng in violence aod without ntioe Lil eron’s entire cargo was con- and ordored to be thrown overboard by the dem: underwriter’s surveyor, The high sea, which was breaking over the wreck to-day, rendered it impossible w board ber, Very faint hopes are pow entertained for saving the vessel, se having moved her stern south. ward the | high water, and at tho next tide rs ber position, so that it will be im- possible for her to hold out till morning. The Cameron, though vew, is of slight baild, THE ALLEGED SCUTTLING. The British bark Soaward, Captain Macgregor, trom Loudon, which arrived at Portiand, Me., on the 27th inst, reported that while boarding in the South Pas- sage the abandoned British brig Wild Horse, Captain McCumber, from New York to Halifax, auger boies were found bored im her, Yesterday # Hexatv re- ter calicd upon Messrs, J. F. Whitney & Co., No. 34 Broadway, the agents of the Wiid Horac, They Stated that they esieemed Captain Join McCumber, and did not believe the story of the auger holes. Ho was the sole owner of the Jost vessel, and she was not insured, That ought to settie all questions as to any molive to defraud apy ipeurance company, Vosscls, d the lighters there | when abandoned, occasionally have been pierced with auger holes by their captains for the purpose of sink- ing them to prevent collisions with passing crai. The following {8 a letter received from Captann McCumber :— MaitLanp, N. §., Dee. 22, 1876. Messrs, J. F. Wartwzy & Co. — Dean Sins—T have got home safe to Maitland, with all my crew, but lost the Wiid Horse at sea. She isa total loss to mo. "What will 1 do nowt THE MESSIAH PERSONATOR. NO TRACES OF HIS WHEREABOUTS YET FOUND—-& MYSTERY THAT MAY DEVELOP INTO A MURDER. The usually placid waters of the romantic Kill Von Kall were wild and stormy yesterday afternoon as the Henatp reporter crossed over from Bergen Pot in his search for further traces of the poor demented man who believed himself the Son of God. The drenching sleet driven furiously along by the fierce wintry gale darkened the air, ana the thudding of the huge cakes of ice dashing violently against the sides of the di- mioutive ferrydoat, as it tossed and trembied in its course, made unpleasant music in the cabins On land the sceno was equally drear, The branches of the leailess trees swayed wildly about in obedience to the wind whistling through them and the jarge drops of hail pattered loudly ou the frozen snow. It was, indeed, tempestuous weather, and well calculated to draw forth the expression made to the writer by a person interested in his search, “God pity the poor creature if he is wandering about to-day,”” THE POLICE MYSTIFIED, At tho Port Richmond station house Sergeant Lagrange stated that nothing turther bag been learned about the man, ‘We aro,’’ said he, drawing his chair closer to the fire, “completely mystified. Not only has the entire force at my command been on tno con- Btant look-out for traces, but Capiwin Biake, of the Central Utiice, and Sergeant Rowe, EW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30. 1876, cincl, are tard at work. Many citizens also, stirred by the Heraup's arhcie, are engaged | ‘un following up the ciews ' already — ob- tained. he wan, bowever, seems to hivo completely vanished, We have made diligent inqui- rios at all the boat landings and along the river iront for miles, Inverrogated men, women and children aud visited all the taverns and numbers of private houses, but without success. Nobody can be lound who saw him after he passed the cotiage of Mr, Pelton in West New Brighton, 18 HE STILL WANDERING ? The theory that the uufortunate maa fs still wandor- ing through the country ts entertained by many, who argue that had he stopped at any tun or private: resi- dence the occupants, detecting his insanity, would be- fore this have notified the police, and they ad- vance in support of their belief bis statement to the barber that he bad not had a piaco whereon to lay his head for Ove days ‘‘Behoving nim- self the Saviour,” they say, ‘it is more than likely that he foliowed His divine example.” Lt is feared, however, that if such 18 the caso he has uiready perished {rom either cola or starvation, How correct ie or the many other theories may be ume alonecan tell DID HE COMMIT BLICIDE? There are not afew who adhere tw the belief that be committed sticide by throwing himself into the river, but this the police combat, suying that were such tho case his body would belore this have been found. The Kill Von Kuli trom West New Brighton to a dis- tance of three miles above Port Richmond is welt ned with boats of all descriptions, some of tho hands of which would in case he had commitioa suicide be likely to know of iL On the other band, there are twany places where a person could easily Jump into the water without being scen, aud the float. ing Ice night keop his body concealed tor weeks. His divesting himself of bis overeont and then hurrying along the river’s bank give color to the theory of suicide, WAS HE MURDERED FOR His MONKY? The dread that tne ill-tated lunatic has been the vie- tim of foul play tuds harbor in many minds. He was Possessed, it Will be remembered, of a consideravle sum of money, wich he frequently displayed. Did some fiend lure the demented creature 1 tho woods away from habitations and — there murder him for lis mouey? Ho bas not leit Staten Isiand, else the police would know it, if their vigilance and eflorts amount to anything. Boatmen and peoplo living along tho river say pomtively that he did not drown himselt; and since leaving Davis avenue he en- tered no house’or tavern, 80 far as can be learned. ‘These tacts lead many to fear that he was waylaid and robbed, and the police contemplate to-day a moro thorough search in the interlor, Whatever tate has befallen this pitiable creaturo, it 18 certain that the residents of West New Brighton and Port Richmond will leave no stone unturned to dud traces of him. ANOTHER MESSIAH. esc The strange conduct of Bernard Webber, a car- ponter in Greenville, N. J., caused an examination to be made by County Physician Convorse, of Jersey City, as to his sanity. A lew weeks ago Webber had an interview with Father Mendle, pastor of St. Paul's church, in which he raved on religious ques- tious, apd declared that he was the ouly true living representative of Christ. On fucaday morning, during the celebration et high mass, Webber approached tho altar for the purpose ol reveiving the ra. ment, but Father Mendle declined to ister it, knowing the state of the man’s mind, Webber then faced the congregation and do- livered an address in the German language, declaring that he was the only true representative of God. The most singular feature of the case is that the county pe pronounces the man to be poriectly sane. ile 18 now at large, THE AMERICAN INDIAN. A regular meeting of the American Geographical Society was held last evening at Chickering Hall, Chief Justice Daly im the chair, Major J. W. Powell addressed the society upon the “Philosophy of the North Americon Indians,” their ideas of creation, their gods, their religion, their mythology and their traditions, {t was a most elaborate ossay. It traced the system of the world ander which map existed from complete savagery to civilization. It touched on cosmology and gave a complete history of the theology of the North American Indians, their hero gods, thelr firmament guds ana their tutelar gods, “Ip Indian philosopby,”’ said the lecturer, “the re not very far from us in iutrinsic nature, are poor brutes, like ourselves, with like pas- sions and like prejadices, quick to anger and of gen- erous impuise; reveugetul to enemy and faithful to friend. Tne gods are the ancient. Our inferiority 1s duc to our late degeneracy.” Mujor Poweil spoke at some Jength.conceruing tue religion of the Indian, and con- cluded bis discourse with a happy description of the “Origin of the Echo,” which he considered one of the most beautiful of Indian tales or traditions, METROPOLITAN RIDING ACADEMY. POSTPONEMENT OF THE ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE BENE¥IT OF BT. JOHN'S GUILD. The first ot the series of regular winter entertain. ments proposed to be given at the Metropolitan kid. ing Academy (lately the American Institute Exhibition Building) did not take place iast ovening. It was the intention of the proprietor, Mr. Frederick J. Engie- hardt, to devote the receipts of lust evening ww St. Jobn’s Guild, but the arrangement atthe Academy not being completed, and the factthat the storm would prevent even a attendanco, induced him to post- pono )-night, and make some even- ing Next week the benefit tor tne Guid, Law 7 was devoted to (he practice of several valuable horses in the outer riding circle. In the centre of the hall Professor Henri de Bussigoy exhibited the horse Gen- eral in a manége vot in three gaits—ibe walk, the trot and the galiop. THE CITY'S CRIME. OF THE BOARD OF POLICE JUSTICES, The Boara of Police Justices held their tast meeting for the present year at tho Washington Piace Court last night. Justice Flammer read the annual re- port of the Board. According to this report, of the 87,307 arrests made during the year end- ing October 31, 1876, 4,687 were etrangers, leaving the number of residents of this city arrested at 8: Of the total number 57,054 were beld; the males arrested were 63,759; le ANNUAL REPORT ‘males, 23,518. Ot 7,420 cases of leiony 4,455 were arraigned and 2,962 held, In 15,477 cases the offend- ers were arraigned and beld in 9,018 cases, of which huamber 3,664 cases wore those of violation of the ex- cise law. =Tuere were cases of burglary, of which 600 were held; 1,342 graud lar. cony, 847 held; 22 robvery, | 164 held; 144 mbezzlement, $6 held; 210 iaise provense, 115 held; ni asauit and battery, 497, 382 neid; larceny from the person, 715; assault and battery, 6, 37, 2,628 held; cruelty to animals, 397, 326 heid; age houses, 231, 181 beld; violation of Excise 1, 3,064, 3,177 held; petit larcony, 4,701, 2,995 beld; intoxication and disorderly conduct, 65.078, 36,958 heid; vagrants, 5,999; violation of corporation ordinance, 2,608; Javenile delinquents, 1,156; iveanity, 744; abandon: Ment, 401; disorderty persons, 149; bastardy, 101, and Offences not clasaiiied, 125. Among the number of persons arrested, neld tor trial and convicted, 23,825 were Irish, 22,924 natives of the United States, 6,420 Germans, 1,983 English, 613 Scotch, 527 French, 441 5 1, O02. A ree vision of the gambling and lottery laws is strongly recommended in the report. There were 497 cases of felonious assault and battery. Justice Smith strenu- ously urged that the present Exetse taws wore futile so far as their direct object was concerned. A PRESS BEQUEST, ‘The will of tho late William J. Hoskett was offered for probate yesterday. It is said Uiat he hag left a bequest to the Press Club of $2008 year during the liletime of bis wife, and that upon mer death the club fe to receive $1,000 absolutely. THE EAST RIVER BRIDGE. THE FALLACIOUS WIRE TESTS--ME. HILL ON PROFESSOR THURSTON’S OPINION. A reporter called upon Mr. Albert Hill, at bis office in Fulton street, yesterday, to jearn whether he bad any reply to make to Professor Thurston # statements in reference to the testing of the wires for the East River Bridge, as pubsished in aletter to the Hexalp ou Wednesday last. ‘*You know, Mr. Hill,” said the reporter, ‘that whereas you have criticised very se- verely the specifications for the wires, the Professor says that in his opinion they are ‘simply admirable.” “I have no desire,” replied the gentleman, ‘to enter mto any controversy with Professor Thurston; nor do 1 consider myself the guurdian of his powers of appre- ciation, At the same time | would like to call atten- Hon to this fact, The Professor, referring to the speci+ fications, says:— Assuming authentical accuracy in its details, and that the responsible e or will be able to remove apparent inconsiste uifecting to & certain extent the position of the line to be drawn between metal to be accepted and metai to be rejected, I have never sewn its equal. ‘Now, this transiated into plain English means, assuming that if everything is perfect or that what. ever 18 LOt now periect shall be made perfect hereal- ter, those speciiications are admirable. So tar, I tuily agroe wit Professor Thurston, The only aifier- euce between us hes in the fact that 1 have assumed nothing, but bave proved that arithmetical accuracy does not exist in these specifications, and that the inconsistencies pointed out by me cannot be removed; at least not without involving the Bridge Company— or, in other words, the taxpayers of the two cities, who are virtually the Bridge Company—in expensive lingation. WHERE THE ERROR LIKS. 1 believe Professor Thurston did not fully and thor- oughiy investigate the points at waste. Lf be will do 0 | (cel coniident that he will pot only pereetve the errors pointed out by ine, but that be will moreover arrive at tue conclusion that L have pot yet exposed all the errors contained in them, He even now indieutes more strongly than I do the insuilicienoy of the tests by stating that wuile baila dozen tests will show tho average Lensiie strength of the wires to be 4,000 pounds, double that number of tests will Indieate it to be no more than 8,600 pounds. Now that is conclu- nce that Loe teKls have not bi 2 to arrive ata point where the average ten- sile strength of the wires will become a constant quan- Uty. Or, iu other words, a large enough nutaber of Specimen wires have not been tested to arrive at the true or actual average tensile strengih of the whole material furnished,” “What ao you think,” said the reporter, ‘of Pro- fossor Thursion’s elucidation of tho different processes Of manufacturing #teel and the conclusions ho arrives ay? “Lb is an able essay on that metal,’? responded Mr. Hill, “In tact, when the Professor talks about steel he is always ‘simply admirable;? and in sayimg that L do hot assume auyibing.’? “Mr, Hill, assuming that you have seon Mr. J. TL. Haigh’s table of texts published in the Henatp yes- terday, what do you think of itf” “tL canoot say that] think much of it, Mr. Haigh, like all the rest of ihe bidders, is in possession of t results of the tests of his own wires and those of the Other biddors’ wires as iurnisbed them by the en- gineers. Ihave no doubt Mr. Haigh tried honestly to uiake a fair exhibit of those tests; aad Lam sure that, im one case atleast, he mado a very gencrous one. At the same time, since the fundamental formule by which these tests are Computed are erroneous, I do not think his or anybody clse’s exhibit under those computations can possibly be conclusive,” THE BROOKLYN FIRE. Charles Vine, the young man who was so badly in- Jured at the Brooklyn Theatre on the night of the fire by jumping from tho dress circle to the parquet, is slowly recovering. COMING BENEFITS. The benefit entertamment which was to have been given at the Brooklyn Academy of Music to-night by Messrs, Shook & Paimer i unavoid- ably postponed until the evening of January 6, 1877, owing to the unexpected illness of Miss Clara Morris, who was to assume the principal rd/e. The Handel and Haydn Society will givo a musical entertainment at the Academy of Music, Brooklyn, on Tuesday evening, January 9, 1877, for the benelit of the sufferers by the fire, A pumber of noted artists bave kindly voiun- teered their services on that occasion, The Police Commissioners have granted pormission to the entire police force to dispose of the tickets, and the two oMcers selling the greatest number of tickets lor the eccasion will bo each prescnted with a new suit of clothes, THE RELIEF FUNDS. Mayor Sebroeder, of Brooklyn, had received up to yesterday $12,331 $0 for the Brooklyn sufferers, Tho President of ‘tho Mechanics’ Bank, Mr Daniel Chauncey, acknowledges tho recoipt to date ot $15,607 40. THK INQUEST. The inquest before Coroner Simms and a jury touch- ing the loss of life atthe recent theatre ire was re- sumed last evening. George Rhind, who was employed by Shook & Palmer at tho theatre as stage doorkeeper, was the only witness examined. He said he could not swear that he had seen a hose on the premises since last season; a policeman erdered the witness away from his post three minutes after the fire broke out, saying, “Old gentleman, you must move away, or the wall will be down on you. AISLE SEATS FORBIDDEN, At a regular meeting yesterday morning of the Brooklyn Board of Police and Excise, it was una’ mously resolved that, iu compliance with the provi- sions of section 61, title 11, of tho Charter of the city of Brooklyn, the Superintendent be directed to issue the necessary orders to all precinct and sub-precinct commanders prohibiting the placing of seats of any description in the aisies or corridors of any of the pub- he buildings. THE BROCK MURDER. Governor Bedle, of New Jersey, has decided to grant a respite to Ryan and Oschwald, the murderers of Policeman Brock, The respite extends to February 9 Owing to the pressuro of public business and the early meoting of the State Legislature with work in- cidental to it the Govervor is not able to examine the papers iu the case prelimiuary to its going beforo tho Court of Pardons. Henco the respite. The following is a copy of the official notice of a res- pite received yesterday by Shoriif Harrison :— The State of New Jersoy—Joseru D. Byvix, Governor of the State of New Jersey :— To ovk Suxriry oy our County oF Esskx, Greetingc— Know you that for divers reasons, me thereto moving, Lhaye granted, and do hereby ‘grant, a respite to Thomas Ryan and Charles Oschwald, now under sen- tonce of death by reason of conviction of inurder in the first degree, heretotore bad in the Court of Oyer and ‘Termiper, and general Jail delivery in and for said count? of Essex. And 1 do herevy order and direct that you suspend the execution of said sentence of death upon said Thomas Ryan and Charles Oxctwald until Friday, the 9th aay of February, 1877, or until you are hereinto commanded by my warrant, directed and delivered to you accord- ing to law. Hereof fail not. Given under my hand and the great seal of the State | of New Jersey, at Trenton, this 27th day of lecem- ber, A, 1, 187! JOSEPH D. BEDLE. Hexry C. Ketsny. Secretary of State. Upon receipt of the document the Sheri proceeded to the County Jail where the prisoners are held and notified them. Both men were unconcealed in their joy and thanked the Sherif’ for the good news he brought them, FORGIVING FLYNN. A personal encounter took place on Thursday even- ing in the Astor House rotun between two well known ward politicians which gave rise to no little ex- citement at the time, It appears that ex-Coroner Fiynn, ex-Alderman Moore, Justice Culiahan, Mr. Terence Duffy ana otners of a party of friends had strolled into the rotunda, two or three at a time, during the early part of the evening, until there was quite a number grouped about the bar, talking and occasionally drink. | ing together very amicably Wil Mr. Richard Enright entered the room. He took a seat at one of the lunch counters, at some distance from the bar, and his pres- ence Was pot noticed by any of the drinking party until Mr. Daffy, on turning round, caught sight of him and called him up to armk. Ex-Corover Fiyne and t others vow recognized the new comer, and the former, turning toward Mr Daffy, grambied out som complimentary to the invited. Mr. Kory the sense of the words, and, walking up to Mr. n, Asked him in an undertone what he im by such You're another. Taois re- upset the equanimity of Mr. have been oiherwise some- oot and, bastily setting down his glass, . In lass trom sharp biow instant Euright cau counter and struck e' im the face, cutt an ly gash just below the eye and shivering the giass to fragments, The blood began to flow profusely trom tho wound and the other cuts im the face which bad been made by the Mn daha fragments, Mr. En- right hereupon burriediy turned and ran to the door, He had left vetore wny one thought of stopping him, und then the attention of all was turned to the wounded ©x-Coron: His bleeding cuts were tem- porarily bound up, and a back was called which bim, to ‘his bome, in Whitehall stre Wurned about eleven o’cluck to the Astor House, but bas not been seen since at his ordi- wary resorts in the city. Ex-Coroner Fiynn was called upon yesterday at bis residence, He was anxious to bave tho offair pasned over. fle did not know who it was that bit him, and he could wot eay it was Koright. There had been two or threo gentiemen talk andl was struck be cennot tell = either iy b whom, He was not engaged in a political dispute, and he imogines that he was uninteationally injured. He seemed to speak with difficulty, and suflered trom ti! in of the wound. His face was cut, end be helaa handkerchief vefore it while speaking. He was notin bed, but par- tiaily dressed, and evidently had been up most of the aay. Ho haa ross the Bridge of bis nose and on the right side of bis face, He did not want the mater to get into the papers, and treated it lightly. THE FLYING SWAN A Visit to the Defaulter’s Late Home at Oyster Bay. BIDDING HIS BIBLE CLASS GOODBY, No Investigation Yet—Probable Flight to Geneva, The excitement in Oyster Bay concerning the defale cation of Mr. Otis D. Swan continues to increase daily, He bas so long resided there that he was known to the smallest boys in the place, and was so identified with its progress and improvement that lis sudden departe ure excited great surprise azd grief, As yet no tuvese tigation of bis afairs has been made by his relatives and no clew obtained to his whereabouts. Only a very uncertain rumor points to Lis probable destination ag Geneva, Switzerland, where nis brother Robert re sides. AT OYSTER BAY, A Henao reporter, in a talk with the inbabitants of Oyster Bay, learned that Mr. Swan had beon one of tha most benevolent of dis residents. Many instances of his charity, both public and private, were related, Ho was especially good to the very poor people on the outskirts of the village, Before his failure im 1873 this trait of bis character was much more marked. On Thanksgiving Day and other public holidays ho was accustomed to purchase turkeys and chickens tobe sent to the poor, and many a penniless man bag been thus enabed to eujoy his days of rest through Mr, Swan’s charity, Since bis failure tt was noticed that be was not so lavish of bis gilts as tore merly, but this was generally understood to be on ace count of his diminished resources and not from any lack of good will, His father, Benjamin Otis, was of like character, At the death of the latter ono of the old servants of the family, Daniel Mahoney by name, was leftan aunuity sufliciont to enable bim to live im ease for the rest of his days. These and many other iustances of bencvolence accredited to the Swan family are told from mouth to mouth in the village and will account for the aifectionate regard of the people, Tho Presbyterian church, a pretty little frame edi. fice, situnted on a hill on the main streot of the village, owes much of its prosperity to Mr. Swan's efforts, Lt was erected about three years ago. Mr. Swan was one of the Building Committee ana coniributed $1,000 toward the fund. He was superintendent of the Sune day school aud his wile was one of the leaders of the village choir. MR. BWAN'S HOUSE, Mr, Otis D. Swan's house 18 situated about a mile from the village on a picce of ground of about tweive acres. It is a large white frame house, with twa wings. A pretty bttle portico, supported by ioue wooden columns, {routs the roac., At the tt reporter's Visit the piace was closed, butt even under the winter’s snow, bore ‘evidence of hav- ing been kept in perfect order, ‘Thero was nothing extravagant in Mr. n’s mode of living. Betore tis failure he kept Jour horses and several carriages, but sinco be bas only had one or two horses’ aud a buggy, He only kept three servants, who were paid. upto the time of lus departure, and on leaving Mr, Swan bade them all goodby aud closed up the house. A DELIBERATE DEPARTURE. His departure seems to have beon meditated for some tine, He told many ol his neighbors that ho was about to leave Oyster Bay, Sunday beloro last, after finishing the ipstruction of ins Bible class, he took leave of them, saying that ho might never see them again. Ramor has it that ina consultation with his brothers be told them he was about to leave, but they did not suspect that his vepartare would bo :o sudden oF would resuit in such sturtling disclosures, It ts said that the younger members of his brother families knew of his absence on Christmas Day, out refrained trom communicating the fact to their eldera in order notto mar their enjoyment of the festival. His wife, whose maiden nume was Sarah Weed, was Drought up in Connecticut, but came to live at Oyster Bay some five or sx years ago. She was the adopted daughter of the Rev. Benjamin L, Swan, who was a relative of tho missing mau, und served as Presby. terian minister for several years at Oyster Bay. Hei Mr Otis D, Swan became acquainted with Sarah Weed and they were married about a year ago. She is described as a tall, slim, motherly lady, about years of age. Sho was very altentive to tho and very kind to the poor, being very plain iu wearing neither diamonds not jewelry. Sho In winter the couple fived at dress, was his second wile, their own house, which was handsomely turnished, Since bis failure Mr. Swan rented the house to Mr, Theodore Roosevelt in the summer time, boarding at Mrs. Gibson's, in tho village. This course seems to have been forced upon bin on account of his dimine ished resources, ‘Ihe house was said to be owned un- der a mortgage held by Mrs. Irvin, a lady now resiuing in Europe, THR On Friday aftern left their house, taking With them a large quantity o! baggage, and drove to Syosset, the nearest railway station of the Long Island road, disiant about four miles from Oyster Buy. Their baggage was placed upon the train and they ontercd a parlor car, altor having purchased tickets to New York. That, was the last seen or heard ol them by any of the vot the neighborhood. None of their sorva panied them aud nono knew of their dest Was not until the Tuesday alter their dep Mr. Swan's defaication became known, ‘A RICH PAMILY, All the relatives of Mr, Swan are sai¢ mensely wealthy, He bas tour brothers. Ty Benjamin aud Edward, live about two Oyster Bay, near the end of the cove ths from the Sound, Mr. Frederick Swan liv York, and the other brother, Robert, %» Geneva, Wiliam Swan, the son of Benj», eldest of the live brothers, 1s Commode Seawaubaka Yacht Ciub, whieh has annus) at Oyster Bay, A vague rumor is circulat oy @ | taht village to the effect that Otis will proceed oe to join his brother Robert. It was impos) ever, to trace the source of this rumor,o | fourn anything dednite concerning Mr. Swan’s movements after leaving Oyster Bay, SELLING MIS FURNITURE. It is snid that he soid his furniture to Mr. Theodora Roosevel: about three woeks ago. On Tuesday, aft his departure bad become generally known, Mr. John” ‘A. Weeks, Chairinan of the Builaing Fund Committes of the Union League Club, who resides about a mii and aquarter from Oyster Bay, went to Mr. Swan’ house and made au inventory of ali the goods he bad Jett behind him, MK, EDWARD SWAN, The reporter next proceeded to the residence of Mr. Edward Swan, brother of the imissing man He that his brother bad gone away, bat be did not He had had po vews trom him since his d Ho had made no investigation of bis broth. er's allairs and did not know the extent of the losses, Ho would notéay whether au ipvestigativn would be inade soon or not, Mr. Swan refased voy further into mation. He did not like to say anything against hig brother. where, THE PHELPS ESTATE, Among those who were called upon by a HeRALD re. porter yesterday was Dr. Valontine Mott, who very frankly declared that the ives to the old jhaddeug Vheips estate was uow known to be fully $50,000, which, With the loss acknowledged by Swan's relative: make the yyw known extont of his robberies more than $400,000, The immediate relatives arrived ot the extent of thoig Joss, $300,000, In a very short time, for one of bis brothers aud bis ouly sister, Fearmg, suspected betore be disappeared that he had misused funds 1 bis chorge, The Phelps estate was uot supposed vo have beon robbed, until yesterday, when the jacts were, to some D, howevet Thaddeus Phelps did not, as deciared, die 10 1887,. in 1847. And instead of having been the trustee of the Thaddeus Phelps estate Swan was simply the adminis. trator of Mrs. Phelps’ will, Dr. Valentine Mot says that itis tally three years since he, as an heir to 4 portion of the estate, asked, with others, for a det. Bite account. But neither be aor they could get an «accounting, § though the accruing interest «was paid. In the estate thera was alarge family who had an interest comprising Mra. Phelps aud five daughters. Anotuer tvaturo of the Phelps estate in the care of Swan is, as Dr. Mott says, that the oxecutors appointed under the will havin declined Wo serve. Swan, (hen « practising lawyer, w appointed sole trustee of the property, His father, Benjamin G Swan, became security on his bond, an the estate of Bevjamin L. 1s sapposed to be siable lor all deliciencies. ST, PAUL'S INJUNCTION It will be next Wednesday before tho Newark Pree. bytery, as the outcome of the trial of Rev. Mr. See, do. cides whether jt is or is not lawfal for women to There seems to be no doubt that the Presby. Mr, See at but will, atthe sane time, exouerate Mr. Seo from any intended diso~ | bedience of the ordinance of God and the Church—tbhe, injunction of St. Paul. DEATH FROM LOCKJAW. Thomas Arthur, « laborer, residing at Union Fill, N, J., died of jockjaw. The deceased bad one of his foot crusbed a few days ogo bya barrel falling on it, at the Weebawken oi! docks, where he was employed, and was taken to St. Mary's Hospital, Hoboken Dr, Chabert told him that it was necessary to have bis toes amputated, bat be refused to sabmit to the operas tion. Mortt tion set in and ast fuceday lockjaw followed. leaves a widow aad several children, DIALECT HUMOR, Mr. W. & Andrews will lecture this evoning Ip Cooper Institute (free course) on “Dialect Humor,” a a i